Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Buggy Problems, Asparagus,

I have decided I could sell my landlords some shore property in Colorado. I have tried to save them money, it costs them something like $800 to have the whole apartment sprayed for bed bugs and all I want is a new $50 cover for Matt's box spring. The exterminators have convinced her the Diatomaceous Earth is ineffective. We think it has done a wonderful job. The only reason, as I keep explaining, we are having a problem is because the box spring cover is torn although I have mended it to death with duct tape and it may be doing the job by now anyway. Any bugs which might be getting out, don't leave the area because of the Earth which is sprinkled round the bed and which is death to them if they cross it. There are NO bugs ANYWHERE else. However, nobody listens and because I am not a professional, I cannot possibly be right.  My main problem now, we have to vacuum it up before the pest people come in again. Doing that round Matt's bed may well let the little perishers out. Not only that I have to hire a shop vac because our vacuum has a Hepa filter and won't do the job properly. As I have mentioned, I am hiring a company to come do some vacuuming right through plus several other jobs which have to be done before the exterminators come. However, if I find our pensions from the UK have dropped badly because of the pound, that will be cancelled. We are due to get a payment in the first week of July so we will know then.

Yesterday I got my last batch of asparagus, Because we have had no rain, it is quite skinny now. I am going to be moaning until next April/May. I
actually bought 6 lbs. Should last a bit. I have about 3 lbs. frozen and two jars of pickled so it will keep me happy for a while. Obviously the frozen isn't a patch on the fresh, but it's better than none at all and even better than the asparagus which is for sale all year round in our supermarket. Not sure where that comes from (probably Mexico) but as one has to break off the ends, you know it's not very fresh. Do they get Mexican produce in the States? Maybe the wall will stop such heinous practices!!! Or is that OK?

This recipe looked so colourful I thought I would share it. I have a similar recipe which I have made with just Heirloom tomatoes and that is very good. I think this will be even better.

Tomato and pepper galettes 

Good to Know

  • Serves: 4
 This tasty tart is full of Mediterranean flavours, with ripe plum tomatoes and sweet peppers, your
family will love this summery recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 peppers, yellow and orange, deseeded and cut into thick strips
  • 1 onion, peeled and cut into thin wedges
  • 3 sprigs of thyme
  • 3tbsps olive oil
  • 250g all-butter puff pastry
  • 2tbsps chopped fresh parsley
  • 12 kalamata olives, pitted
  • 16-20 baby plum tomatoes, halved
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • Baking sheet, lightly buttered
Got leftover chicken? Put strips on top of the galettes for a meaty alternative.

Method

  1. Set the oven to 190°C/380°F/Gas Mark 5. Mix the pepper strips and onion wedges on a baking sheet with thyme sprigs and 2tbsp oil. Roast for 30 mins, stirring occasionally, until they’re softened.
  2. Meanwhile, roll out the pastry to a square, about 28cm. Cut into 4 x 14cm squares. Put them on the baking sheet. Mark a thin border around each one. Prick inside with a fork. Chill for about 30 mins.
  3. Raise the oven temperature to 220°C/430°F/Gas Mark 7. Spoon the pepper mixture inside the pastry border. Sprinkle with parsley and add the olives and halved tomatoes. Drizzle with the rest of the oil.
  4. Bake for 25 mins, below the centre of the oven. Season and drizzle with more oil, if you like.

Have a great day
 

24 comments:

  1. Such a short season for the asparagus :(

    I think you are an expert on dealing with the bedbugs; it is sad that "they" won't listen to you. You can teach them a thing or two.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know Betty. Sad isn't it?

      I think so too Betty. I am teed off that nobody will take any notice. I don't want them to touch my bed as it is totally bug free, but I bet I can't stop them.

      Delete
  2. Why is the diatomaceous earth a problem for the exterminators? Can't they just work around it?

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    1. Damned if I know Denise. Especially as they apparently use a stronger version of the stuff. Wish I could play you the phone message I got from my landlords yesterday.

      Delete
  3. I hope it all works out for you.

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    1. Well it isn't really at the moment Helen.

      Delete
  4. It costs that much for them to spray? The exterminators are making out like bandits.

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    1. So I understand Alex. Don't forget this is Canada. Things are somewhat more expensive here.

      Delete
  5. Yikes. That's something I never want to deal with. We had something like like while living in NYC. There were bugs inhabiting the SUPER OLD wooden floors who would come out and munch on my baby at night. It made me so mad. We moved. That's how we solved the issue.

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, unless we walked out and left everything behind, we might take them with us Crystal.

      Delete
  6. I feel so bad for you with the bugs. It must be so frustrating. I hope your pensions don't suffer. It's a scary time in the world.

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    1. Thanks Susan. It is a scary time. Did you see the joke in my post yesterday?

      Delete
  7. Oh my gosh that recipe sounds awesome!
    Sorry you're still having issues with those darn bugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does Sandra.

      Thanks. Not as sorry as I am!!!!

      Delete
  8. Your apartment landlords must've worked in big business before. They sure know how to waste money.

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    Replies
    1. Yup and they are wasting ours too Diane.

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  9. Your landlords are nuts. By the way I found a site that reflects your 'addiction' to asparagus.
    http://www.delicieux.eu/?p=1856 :)

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    Replies
    1. I guess they are, but figure the professionals know more than I do Pinky.

      Checked out the site, enjoyed the post and tried to leave a comment, but it wouldn't work for some reason.

      Delete
  10. I hope your pensions haven't taken a hit cause of that fiasco in England. Good luck with the bugs. I hope it will finally be resolved.

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    1. I think they definitely will have JoJo. The pound has fallen so it will buy less dollars.

      Still got another week or so for the bug problem.

      Delete
  11. These bugs just don't like to leave do they? I know it will cost but what about getting another bed? If they are gone from every other area this might be the last resort, if you can afford it.

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    Replies
    1. Didn't see this before Birgit. Another bed would be a somewhat expensive option. However, now they have been once again I think/hope/pray the bugs have all gone now.

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  12. Very sorry that you have to go through all this with the bugs. Ack!

    We have veg from Mexico and most of it, I cannot eat without getting sick. Even when I ate it but didn't realize, I still got sick. The only thing I can eat from them is lemons, limes and sometimes (when needed), organic garlic. But everything else, is a no go for me.

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    Replies
    1. Hopefully it is all over now Ivy. I wonder why you get sick, must be chemicals they use I suppose.

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